Golden Dawn Mouthpiece Loses Immunity

ATHENS – The Greek Parliament has lifted immunity for Ilias Kasidiaris, the spokesman for the far right-extremist Golden Dawn party so he can be charged with breaking privacy laws.

Kasidiaris, who was arrested earlier along with the other 17 lawmakers from the extremist party who are charged with running a criminal gang, had released a video of a private conversation with Panayiotis Baltakos, a close aide of Premier Antonis Samaras at the time, who expressed support for the party.

That set off a firestorm of criticism that led to Samaras dumping Baltakos, who is said to be interested in forming his own party. He had the ear of the Premier until then as New Democracy chased illegal immigrants and was accused of courting Golden Dawn voters.

Kasidiaris was transferred to Parliament on Dec. 11 from Korydallos Prison, where he is awaiting trial along with other key party members. He attacked the government and said it was interfering in the judicial probe into Golden Dawn’s alleged criminal activities.